“I’m ready to get on the horse,” Annette said.
He grinned at her. “Of course you are.” Trenton was quick to instruct the small girl as Andie stood close by, and soon she was seated proudly on the saddle with a wide grin.
“Can I get a picture of her?” came the girl’s dad. He stood with a phone camera aimed at the action.
“Go right ahead,” Trenton replied, stepping out of the way while keeping a grip on the reins. Andie surprised him by moving along with him, stepping close enough that he felt the warmth of her sweater-covered arm beneath his rolled sleeve. Today’s sweater was pale pink, and it accented the color in her cheeks beautifully.
“It’s okay if you want to be in the picture too, hon,” the man said to Andie.
Trenton watched as Andie shook her head in response. “I’d rather not,” she said gently. “I’m camera shy.”
The man only shrugged. “Okay, Annette. Say cheese.” A bright flash popped once, then twice.
Andie bent her arm to give Trenton a small bump. She leaned in then, bringing her lips close to his ear. “It’s always awkward,” she said in a whisper, “being in other people’s photos. Don’t you think?”
Trenton gulped as her warm breath teased his skin. The stirs of heat spiked to new, unchartered degrees.
“Yeah, it is,” he agreed.
“Now say,yeehaw!”the proud father said, but Annette only shook her head. “Your mom’s going to love these,” he boomed as the flash popped again.
“Hey,” Andie said quietly, tilting her head until Trenton met her gaze. “We were wondering, my brothers and I, if we could get together, all of us. Kind of get the lowdown on this place if that’s alright.”
Yes, of course they should do that. Trenton should have initiated it himself by now. “Sure,” he said with a nod.
She grinned, and the sight—along with the reflection of golden light in her hazel eyes—was enough to unravel him.
“Great. Is tonight okay?”
“I’m done,” came Annette’s little voice.
“She’s done,” a woman from the center of the group echoed. Billy’s mom, he realized. What didshecare? Billy had already had his turn.
Trenton forced his gaze back to the girl on the horse, helping her down as he replied to Andie. “Yeah, that should work. If we set it up for after eight o’clock, Betty can join us. Which is good, since she knows more about this place than I do.”
“Perfect.”
Annette grabbed her hands excitedly. “I got on the horse! Did you see that?”
“I sure did,” Andie told her before glancing over her shoulder. “Should we say 8:30?”
“8:30 is good for me.” His insides responded as if he’d just set up their first date.
Annette already had her small hand wrapped around Andie’s forearm.
“Sounds great,” Andie said. She hurried back to the hay bale and took a seat beside the little girl and her father once more.
A quick glance at his watch told Trenton their time was up.Thank heavens.It felt as if he hadn’t fully exhaled since Andie stepped into the barn. Now if he could just get through tonight’s meeting, and the rest of the week’s riding classes, Trenton might be able to get his mind back in order.
The unexpected attraction he felt for the city girl made him all the more determined to leave. The sooner he moved away from Haven Hills, the better.
Chapter 8
Andie recalled Trenton’s final piece of instruction about their meeting place as she moved past a group gathered around the bonfire—he’d said the office was just north of the small library she’d admired in the foyer.
A combination of delighted chatter and hearty laughter drifted from the first group to the other guests scattered along the patio tables and chairs on the back porch, the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar adding to the vibe.
It was surprising to see a gathering so large when it wasn’t even the weekend yet.
